The Portuguese superstar was the only Juventus player to escape criticism following defeat to Lyon in the Champions League last-16 first leg.
Juventus suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 at Lyon.
As one of the clubs seen in contention for the title this season, the Italian club were naturally favourites going into the tie. But after a poor performance in France, the criticism has come thick and fast from the Italian media, with only Cristiano Ronaldo escaping reproach.
The Italian press unanimously affirm that the Portuguese striker was the only one who continued to believe that a comeback was possible before the 90 minutes were up.
Ronaldo was last to give up for Juventus
"Ronaldo was abandoned by his team mates. He tried alone, managed to win some fouls and almost won a penalty. He was the last to give up and the first to be disappointed," reports Gazetta dello Sport.
“Like a year ago, in the round of 16 when he scored a ‘hat-trick’ against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, it’s up to him to correct the mistakes in Turin.”
Leonardo Bonucci was another to praise Ronaldo. "He's a war machine,” said the Juventus captain.
Last season Ronaldo managed to overturn a 2-0 first leg defeat to Atlético by scoring a stunning hat-trick in the second leg in Turin.
KingJerryTheGreat
683
Ronaldo is always abandoned in Juventus games especially in UCL just like last season when they faced ATM he fought alone and scored a hat trick. Again against Ajax it's CR7 who scored in both legs but then the players were lazy hence Ajax knocked us out. CR7 was the only player to score for Juventus in KO stages but they never try to support him. Maybe we wait for second leg and see again how dependent they'll be on CR7 AGAIN
SH221B
587
Disappointed Ronaldo is 10 times more dangerous than Normal Ronaldo, Atletico know that.
fauadeilop
524
He created 2 chances in First half and Many Good passes in 2nd half, They have cheated him With Rejecting clear Penalty,
Chongloi4Juv
280
I do not know whether Ronaldo can repeat the same hat-trick in the return leg of CL against Lyon. Juventus needs some good midfields at least two to compete with selected 16 teams. So far they won because of the qualities of players but when games as such with Lyon or any other teams, Juv easily lost their focus. Only Ronaldo cannot win CL.
Md_Majharul
237
my mama: dont cry or ill beat you more. m:
Thé_Ôŕîğîņáł_MaxM
226
We play second leg at home so we have an advantage there and besides every true football fan knows that Lyon is hard to beat at their home. I believe Cr7 will make the difference second leg just like he did against Atletico Madrid last year. And can someone please tell M.Sarri to leave the team now we are all tired of him .
DarkKing2010
179
The Only one Who never Gives up is Ronaldo even if there is just A minute left in the Match but he never Give up. When Atletico scored 2 - 0 he didn't give up and Scored a Hattrick in the 2nd Leg Match. And I am sure he can do it and surprise us Again in the Second Leg.
Nelly-Pro
143
Hardwork, Commitment,Focus and a leader....Ronaldo's key elements that makes him a one man army.
Benosky1
110
The simple truth here is; Ronaldo don't deserve Juventus. Juventus rigid football slows him down.. I feel watching Ronaldo in Juventus.. Ronaldo loves free flowing football but they don't do that in Juventus with Sarri football. Most TIMES CR7 waits for those killers passes from Juventus midfield but it doesn't come, they keep taking ball back.. still they can't defend right.. so why play defensively when you can't?? If Juventus didn't change coach or change their style of play,CR7 will end his career somewhere else